(Once again, we are celebrating Black History month, there are many accomplishments by members of the black community, not only here in America but, other parts of the world. Today we’d like to reflect on the accomplishment of a black man we read about in the scripture. His name is Simon of Cyrene. This information is to be found in Matthew 27:32-33 “And as they came out they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull”.
(Jesus was just being beaten by the Romans in verse 26, with bruises all over his back, blood running down to his feet, and they gave him the cross, two pieces of rough plank nailed together placed over his back on his way to calvary. It soon became obvious, that the weakness resulting from the beating and the weight of the cross on his sore back was much too uncomfortable for Jesus. The word of God must come to pass, Jesus must die at calvary not on the road. Therefore, we’re told, that the soldiers compelled Simon of Cyrene to relive Jesus of the cross and bear it to calvary. What a remarkable hour? what taught must have come to his mind. A man who lived over seven hundred miles from Jerusalem and just happened to be at the right place, at the right time. His name will forever be called whenever the pages of scripture are open. You can never tell what surprises lay ahead for us.
The darkest hour for Jesus, the finest hour for Simon, to carry the Cross for Jesus Our Savior, a remarkable day that is a memorial for all generations. This is the Black Man’s Legacy, and we are proud to identify with Simon, can you imagine him telling his children, grandchildren and family? Here we are being reminded of this event. Thank you, JESUS, for the Cross, thank you for the nail pierced hands, thank you for your cleansing Blood, taking my sin and shame, and thank you Pastor for the input for Black History Month.